Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Acknowledgments ix
4. Introduction: Reconstructing East German Literature 1
5. Part I. The Absence of State (1945)
6. 1: In the Zone, 1945 27
7. Part II. Constructing the State (1949)
8. 2: Brecht and the Battle of the Spirits, 1949 73
9. 3: German Culture’s Will to Power, 1949–50 106
10. 4: Fascinating Fascists, 1949–50 139
11. Part III. Contesting the State (1953)
12. 5: Typical Heroes, 1951–53 171
13. 6: The Danger of Optimism, 1953 202
14. Part IV. The State Cracks Down (1956)
15. 7: The Worst of Times, 1956–58 245
16. 8: Literature for Adults, 1956–59 284
17. Conclusion 335
18. Selected Bibliography 345
19. Index 357